‘WIEF 2017 opens up tremendous prospects for S’wak business community’
KUCHING: The just- concluded 13th World Islamic Economic Forum ( WIEF) has not only opened up opportunities for the business community in Sarawak to cooperate with its counterparts from other countries, but also to embrace disruptive changes and new technologies.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan described the forum as ‘important’, in that it supported the state in driving its business community towards digital economy and e- commerce.
“All the input, proposals, ideas and suggestions by renowned experts in the field of science and technology would certainly help to stimulate Sarawak economy and enable it achieve its high-income status by 2030,” he told reporters during a press conference held after the closing of WIEF 2017 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching ( BCCK) yesterday.
Adding on, Awang Tengah – also Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development – said the state government would continue collaborating with its counterparts from Brunei and West Kalimantan in various sectors.
“Among these areas of cooperation are the development of border trade, as well as tourism and other services. Currently, we ( Sarawak) export 150 megawatts of electricity ( supply) to Indonesia – there is demand for additional power from the country,” he said.
In addition, Awang Tengah also advised all industry players in the country to not be afraid of the disruptive changes; instead, they should look at it from a positive point, especially in relation to innovative technology.
“What matters to us in dealing with disruptive changes (is that) we must dare to face the challenges and seize the opportunities towards advancing our businesses and also enhancing the effectiveness of our services across various sectors,” he said.
Over 2,000 delegates from 77 countries attended the 13th WIEF, which ran from Tuesday to yesterday at BCCK.